Outlook: The Bears will be hurting on offense with the loss of four of their top five starters. The starting attack of Frood, Satin and Lyle -- which has played as a unit since the start of fall practice -- combined for 11 goals and nine assists last year. And Selig, the most experienced player on attack and first-team All-Ivy League, shifts to the midfield. While the attack sorts itself out, Brown will be carried by Cattrano, a second-team All-American who stopped 63 percent of shots on goal and allowed 10 goals a game.

Outlook: Duke dropped four of its last five games by an average of 5 1/2 goals to miss the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1993. Almost the entire cast returns, including its top attackman (John Fay), top midfielder (Gonnella) and Defenseman of the Year (Hardy). Goalkeeper Kirmser has shown signs of regaining his form of two years ago. Mix in last year's Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Year (Diggs) with a fine recruiting class and the high-scoring Blue Devils could become a dangerous team.

Outlook: The Hoyas, who were 2-3 against teams in last year's tournament, make another surge for their first postseason appearance with the return of their top six goal scorers. Martin and Meehan are a talented midfield combination, totaling 37 goals and 19 assists. If Brennan recovers fully from last year's injury-marred season, Georgetown should have adequate scoring from its attack. But the defense, which allowed 12.3 goals a game to ranked opponents, needs consistency.

Outlook: The Blue Jays have the most formidable defensemen in the country with Kuczma, Gagliardi and Van Horn. Kuczma, an intelligent defender who regularly shuts down the opposition's top scorer, is the leading candidate for Defenseman of the Year. The attack has been overhauled. Transfers Dixon and Marks blend their talents with Denihan, who showed flashes as a freshman last year. The Blue Jays add Haugen, the unanimous choice as the top recruit in the country, with the offensive-minded Evans and hard-working Krueger on the first midfield. Either Kuchner or Carcaterra will start in goal.